Pros and Cons of Flooring Materials by Kimberly Button

While style, color, and ease of cleaning are major factors in choosing flooring, so are potential health hazards associated with a flooring material, as well as environmental concerns in your home that would create unfavorable conditions for certain materials. The following table highlights the pros and cons of specific types of flooring:

▼ Pros and Cons of Flooring Materials

Type of FloorProsConsCarpet
Soft, slip-resistant
Absorbs spills, prone to staining, not great for allergies, can allow mold to grow, VOC exposure
Hardwood
Durable, easily refinished
Liquids can damage, humidity levels can make floor strips move, must be installed above ground level
Bamboo
Can be refinished, some are very durable
Some can be easily scratched and dented, can crack or warp with significant humidity change
Laminate and vinyl
Spills are easily wiped away, will not scratch or dent easily
VOC exposure can aggravate asthma and allergies
Stone and tile
Spills are easily wiped away, antimicrobial
Hard surface can be painful for falls, acids can cause damage
Linoleum
Antimicrobial, antistatic, hypoallergenic, spills are easily wiped away
Cannot be refinished
Cork
Soft, sound-absorbent, hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, antistatic
May move with humidity changes

Choosing a flooring material is not something that should be done quickly just because a store is having a three-day sale. Flooring can be a major expense, so you do not want to have to install a new floor several years down the road after you find out that your first choice wasn't a great fit for your home or your family. With so many potential health hazards associated with certain flooring materials, as well, a little bit of research and thought can go a long way in creating a healthier home.